{"id":360568,"date":"2025-01-05T10:28:29","date_gmt":"2025-01-05T09:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=360568"},"modified":"2025-01-05T10:28:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-05T09:28:31","slug":"georgia-proves-it-stable-electricity-markets-attract-business-and-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=360568","title":{"rendered":"Georgia proves it: Stable electricity markets attract business and growth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Fresh peaches growing on branches in garden outdoors, closeup. Space for text<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From CFACT<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Kevin Doyle<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When considering factors that spur a state\u2019s economic development and growth, how a state regulates its utilities is too often overlooked. That could not be more important now that the needs of AI and data centers have created the highest power demand in a generation, requiring a buildout of at least $50 billion just for new generation<\/a> and another $250 billion for data centers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The states which can provide stability and predictability to utilities will be the winners in this race.\u00a0Georgia proves it: Atlanta is\u00a0already\u00a0among the top 10 data center markets, and construction\u00a0grew 76% year-over-year\u00a0to 1,281 Megawatts in the first half of this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A big ingredient in this success is Georgia\u2019s utility regulation structure and the advantages it affords Georgians, especially when compared to deregulated states in the Northeast. The Peach State\u2019s well-regulated energy market not only ensures affordable rates and reliable service, but actively supports economic growth in ways that deregulated states struggle to match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgia\u2019s stability and predictability are a long-term competitive advantage in the eyes of businesses seeking sites for new plants or facilities across the country. In contrast, the deregulated energy markets in states like New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts usually face higher rates plus price volatility and reliability issues that are a big part of the equation guiding where businesses locate operations\u2014especially large industrial consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proof is in the pudding. Georgia consistently ranks among the best states for business. Between July 1, 2023, and June 30 of this year, the Georgia Department of Economic Development\u2019s Global Commerce team supported 429 facility expansions and new locations<\/a>, resulting in more than $20.3 billion in investment and the commitment of 26,900 new, private sector jobs statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgia\u2019s Public Service Commission oversees the Peach State\u2019s investor-owned utilities, while the state\u2019s cooperatives and municipal utilities are regulated by their member-elected boards of directors and their citizen-elected city councils, respectively. This structure regulates utility rates and oversees infrastructure investments, ensuring energy prices remain affordable and predictable for families and businesses. This steady foundation allows businesses to forecast energy costs accurately, which makes for better-informed long-term investment decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data centers are not the only investments that result. Take the case of the Hyundai Motor Group\u2019s recent decision to build a $5.5 billion electric vehicle plant in Bryan County. Highlighting the state\u2019s appeal to major investors, the plant is expected to create 8,000 jobs and stimulate significant economic activity in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the case of Plant Vogtle, a nuclear joint venture among the state\u2019s utilities. Vogtle Units 3 and 4, one of the largest construction projects in the United States, would not have been possible without Georgia\u2019s regulatory framework. Plant Vogtle generated thousands of construction jobs and permanent positions and represents a significant investment in the state\u2019s energy infrastructure, providing reliable, emissions-free electricity. That is an attractive option for employers that prioritize clean energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgia\u2019s regulatory framework also supports sustainable economic growth by encouraging investments in renewable energy and clean technologies. Georgia ranks among the top seven states for solar capacity as a result of its rapid expansion of solar power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This focus on sustainability not only addresses environmental concerns but also creates new economic opportunities. The growth of the universal solar industry in Georgia has led to the creation of numerous jobs and has attracted investments from major solar companies. In deregulated states, the fragmented approach to energy regulation can hinder the development of renewable energy projects, limiting both economic and environmental benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As other states, especially those with deregulated energy markets, look to enhance their economic development efforts, Georgia\u2019s approach provides valuable lessons. A focus on stability, infrastructure investment, and support for innovation drives economic growth, jobs and ensures affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner electricity for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgia\u2019s families and businesses are the winners, and that is a model to which every state should aspire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article originally appeared at Real Clear Energy<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When considering factors that spur a state\u2019s economic development and growth, how a state regulates its utilities is too often overlooked. That could not be more important now that the needs of AI and data centers have created the highest power demand in a generation, requiring a buildout of at least\u00a0$50 billion just for new generation\u00a0and another\u00a0$250 billion for data centers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":360569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691823433,691832444,691819495,691822255,691829710,691819426],"class_list":["post-360568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-ai-artificial-intelligence-2","tag-data-centers","tag-energy-market","tag-georgia","tag-plant-vogtle","tag-solar-industry","fallback-thumbnail"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0Peach.jpg?fit=2508%2C1673&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-1vNC","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":447266,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=447266","url_meta":{"origin":360568,"position":0},"title":"AI Revolution: Leaving Green Energy States Behind","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"05\/29\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The artificial intelligence revolution is leaving green electricity states behind. Network operators are choosing states with policies favorable for gas-fired power to support construction of new data centers. States that block data center construction or try to force firms to use wind and solar electricity will lose the economic benefits\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"AI \u201chyperscalers\"","block_context":{"text":"AI \u201chyperscalers","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=ai-hyperscalers"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Copilot_AI-Revolution-Leaving-Green-Energy-States-Behind.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Copilot_AI-Revolution-Leaving-Green-Energy-States-Behind.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Copilot_AI-Revolution-Leaving-Green-Energy-States-Behind.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Copilot_AI-Revolution-Leaving-Green-Energy-States-Behind.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":440195,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=440195","url_meta":{"origin":360568,"position":1},"title":"The data center energy threat is way overblown","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"04\/18\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"David Wojick nails a key distinction that's often lost in the data-center panic: most of the scary headlines rely on \"fantasy\" proposal numbers rather than what's actually getting built. He calls the whole \"threat\" an offshoot of AI hype that's warping power policy debates, and his three little numbers make\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"CBRE (North America Data Center)\"","block_context":{"text":"CBRE (North America Data Center)","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=cbre-north-america-data-center"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-The-data-center-energy-threat-is-way-overblown.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-The-data-center-energy-threat-is-way-overblown.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-The-data-center-energy-threat-is-way-overblown.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-The-data-center-energy-threat-is-way-overblown.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":403578,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=403578","url_meta":{"origin":360568,"position":2},"title":"Europe\u2019s Impossible Choice: AI Development or Net Zero?","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"09\/20\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"This year, European nations announced plans to pursue artificial intelligence. National leaders announced AI spending goals totaling hundreds of billions of euros in efforts to catch up to the United States. But AI requires huge amounts of electrical power, conflicting with Europe\u2019s commitment to achieve a Net Zero power grid.","rel":"","context":"In \"AI (artificial intelligence)\"","block_context":{"text":"AI (artificial intelligence)","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=ai-artificial-intelligence-2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQPFu6S7hSe12c-npKqFo4UpJp75o6RGkVuruskY5oiVkqdJh9uk2LmBOBVxHjz9IylmiQUoJpOxjbuQ1iI3FOGvI0jMm8N-HTvMDyd38E8nRrKpYWpLCpGJ2jWl4LBSryo3jcm0jKrflFJUZNT4A_wVjtyE4Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQPFu6S7hSe12c-npKqFo4UpJp75o6RGkVuruskY5oiVkqdJh9uk2LmBOBVxHjz9IylmiQUoJpOxjbuQ1iI3FOGvI0jMm8N-HTvMDyd38E8nRrKpYWpLCpGJ2jWl4LBSryo3jcm0jKrflFJUZNT4A_wVjtyE4Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQPFu6S7hSe12c-npKqFo4UpJp75o6RGkVuruskY5oiVkqdJh9uk2LmBOBVxHjz9IylmiQUoJpOxjbuQ1iI3FOGvI0jMm8N-HTvMDyd38E8nRrKpYWpLCpGJ2jWl4LBSryo3jcm0jKrflFJUZNT4A_wVjtyE4Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQPFu6S7hSe12c-npKqFo4UpJp75o6RGkVuruskY5oiVkqdJh9uk2LmBOBVxHjz9IylmiQUoJpOxjbuQ1iI3FOGvI0jMm8N-HTvMDyd38E8nRrKpYWpLCpGJ2jWl4LBSryo3jcm0jKrflFJUZNT4A_wVjtyE4Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQPFu6S7hSe12c-npKqFo4UpJp75o6RGkVuruskY5oiVkqdJh9uk2LmBOBVxHjz9IylmiQUoJpOxjbuQ1iI3FOGvI0jMm8N-HTvMDyd38E8nRrKpYWpLCpGJ2jWl4LBSryo3jcm0jKrflFJUZNT4A_wVjtyE4Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":446057,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=446057","url_meta":{"origin":360568,"position":3},"title":"The US AI Rebellion is Gaining Momentum","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"05\/23\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"There's a noticeable backlash against AI in the US right now and dismissing concerns is a mistake. Energy constraints are real, job transitions need honest handling and forcing infrastructure without local buy-in breeds resentment.","rel":"","context":"In \"AI (artificial intelligence)\"","block_context":{"text":"AI (artificial intelligence)","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=ai-artificial-intelligence-2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-ChatGPT-The-US-AI-Rebellion-is-Gaining-Momentum.png?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-ChatGPT-The-US-AI-Rebellion-is-Gaining-Momentum.png?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-ChatGPT-The-US-AI-Rebellion-is-Gaining-Momentum.png?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-ChatGPT-The-US-AI-Rebellion-is-Gaining-Momentum.png?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":402537,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=402537","url_meta":{"origin":360568,"position":4},"title":"Europe: AI development or Net Zero?","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"09\/16\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"European nations announced plans to pursue artificial intelligence. National leaders announced AI spending goals totaling hundreds of billions of euros in efforts to catch up to the United States. But AI requires huge amounts of electrical power, conflicting with Europe\u2019s commitment to achieve a net-zero power grid.","rel":"","context":"In \"AI (artificial intelligence)\"","block_context":{"text":"AI (artificial intelligence)","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=ai-artificial-intelligence-2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMfYxYQLiR_l1CoBY5BvQa3JOwLk6kbNa4vkjz3jJiQ39IzFmHZ8XQsXbL-3E5jF0dTHBXnt7wKFl5XkqaAWvablsBfhxViBN4AaA10E372xbzwkA4o3BxZmyZQPgn1Rh9CDkllzYhPx2eVQUHZb9mn_ho85Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMfYxYQLiR_l1CoBY5BvQa3JOwLk6kbNa4vkjz3jJiQ39IzFmHZ8XQsXbL-3E5jF0dTHBXnt7wKFl5XkqaAWvablsBfhxViBN4AaA10E372xbzwkA4o3BxZmyZQPgn1Rh9CDkllzYhPx2eVQUHZb9mn_ho85Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMfYxYQLiR_l1CoBY5BvQa3JOwLk6kbNa4vkjz3jJiQ39IzFmHZ8XQsXbL-3E5jF0dTHBXnt7wKFl5XkqaAWvablsBfhxViBN4AaA10E372xbzwkA4o3BxZmyZQPgn1Rh9CDkllzYhPx2eVQUHZb9mn_ho85Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMfYxYQLiR_l1CoBY5BvQa3JOwLk6kbNa4vkjz3jJiQ39IzFmHZ8XQsXbL-3E5jF0dTHBXnt7wKFl5XkqaAWvablsBfhxViBN4AaA10E372xbzwkA4o3BxZmyZQPgn1Rh9CDkllzYhPx2eVQUHZb9mn_ho85Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AQMfYxYQLiR_l1CoBY5BvQa3JOwLk6kbNa4vkjz3jJiQ39IzFmHZ8XQsXbL-3E5jF0dTHBXnt7wKFl5XkqaAWvablsBfhxViBN4AaA10E372xbzwkA4o3BxZmyZQPgn1Rh9CDkllzYhPx2eVQUHZb9mn_ho85Q.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":444916,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=444916","url_meta":{"origin":360568,"position":5},"title":"The Electricity Myth: Data Centers Aren\u2019t the Villain","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"05\/17\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Public backlash toward data centers is escalating. Activist groups gather to voice concerns, and in some cities, council members are being voted out of office for approving data center construction. Extreme resistance includes an Indianapolis councilman receiving 13 bullet holes through his front door and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman\u2019s San\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"activist groups\"","block_context":{"text":"activist groups","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=activist-groups"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-ChatGPT-The-Electricity-Myth-Data-Centers-Arent-the-Villain.png?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-ChatGPT-The-Electricity-Myth-Data-Centers-Arent-the-Villain.png?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-ChatGPT-The-Electricity-Myth-Data-Centers-Arent-the-Villain.png?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-ChatGPT-The-Electricity-Myth-Data-Centers-Arent-the-Villain.png?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360568","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=360568"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360568\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":360572,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/360568\/revisions\/360572"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/360569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=360568"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=360568"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=360568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}